AN ANALYSIS OF SELF-REFLECTIVE PRONOUNS IN POLITICAL SPEECHES: A CASE STUDY OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

Pronouns play a pivotal role in political discourse, functioning as powerful tools for constructing identities, conveying ideologies, and shaping public perception. This mixed-methods study explores the strategic use of personal pronouns in 65 political speeches delivered in the Pakistani Senate between 2014 and 2020 by prominent figures, including prime ministers, the chief of army staff, and senators. By combining qualitative discourse analysis with quantitative corpus methods (e.g., AntConc), this research examines how pronouns serve as rhetorical instruments to negotiate power dynamics, foster solidarity, and frame political agendas. The analysis reveals that the first-person plural pronoun "we" predominates in political rhetoric, strategically emphasizing collective responsibility, unity, and shared national goals. The invocation of "we" positions government actions—such as economic stimulus packages, development projects, and social welfare policies—as collaborative efforts, aligning with studies that highlight its role in promoting solidarity during crises. In contrast, the first-person singular "I" introduces a personal dimension, enabling speakers to assert authority, express individual commitments, and humanize their messages. However, excessive use of "I" risks accusations of self-promotion or evasion of collective accountability, particularly in contentious contexts. Quantitative findings from AntConc demonstrate varying patterns of pronoun usage over time, with "we" peaking during national policy debates and "I" surging in speeches focused on leadership accountability. Thematic analysis reveals that pronouns reinforce institutional roles: "we" consolidates government actions as collective endeavors, while "I" emphasizes individual agency among high-ranking officials. Grounded in Critical Discourse Analysis (Fairclough, 2019) and Systemic Functional Linguistics (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2020), this study shows that pronoun choices are not incidental but strategically deployed to build credibility, foster trust, and secure public support. This research contributes to political communication by demonstrating how pronouns shape collective identity, signal authority, and align messages with audience interests. It underscores the duality of "we" and "I" in balancing unity and individuality, offering practical insights for speechwriters and strategists crafting persuasive narratives. By contextualizing the analysis within Pakistan's dynamic political landscape—characterized by populist rhetoric and institutional diversity—the study highlights the cultural specificity of pronoun usage and advances global discourse on the intersection of language, power, and ideology. Future research could explore how these strategies evolve in response to changing socio-political contexts, including digital communication and cross-cultural comparisons.